WFPV-FM Community Radio for the Florida Panhandle

In 2010 the Help Save the Appalachicola River Group applied for, fought and won the construction permit for a 20,000 Watt Full Power Noncommercial Educational Radio Station (WFPV – West Florida People’s Voice) that would serve an area from Panama City to Appalachicola and beyond (possibly even reaching the outskirts of Tallahassee).   WFPV will change the radio landscape in that area – giving people a voice against power, politicians and developers, giving local musicians an outlet, and giving listeners an alternative. 

 

The South has the lowest number of community radio stations per capita in the continental United States.  As you know, community radio provides an alternative to commercial radio that is in the public interest.  The local community owns the station.  It keeps the station responsive to people’s needs.   The local community creates the programming, and defines the issues that need to be brought to light, discussed, and acted upon.  Community radio provides a grassroots platform for people to speak and be heard and offers broad-based media education and training to the community at large. 

 "The Florida Panhandle has been marketed as Florida's Last Frontier. The forces of corporate materialism are at the gates of one of the last remaining bastions of Florida Wilderness. A community radio station, broadcasting accurate information about the area could never be more important for the survival and defense of this region."--- Grant Peeples (Folk/roots artist from Sopchoppy, FL)

The Florida Panhandle NEEDS community radio!

We’re reaching out to folks across the country who believe in the power of community radio to help make this happen.  If we don’t get the station on the air by May 23rd this opportunity will be lost.  We have a top-notch engineering team working with us – Michael Brown (Brown Broadcasting Services), Tom Voorhees, and Petri Dish (founder of Prometheus Radio).  We have an enthusiastic team of volunteers assembling in Gulf and Bay Counties headed up by folk duo Lucky Mud.   What we need to make it happen is your financial support.  Any amount will make a difference – your support will go a long way to creating the energy necessary to move the project forward.  We have already received commitments for $30,000, so we are well on our way – but TIME IS SHORT.   We need at least $75,000 for start-up.  Don’t sit this one out on the sidelines.   

If you have the capacity to contribute a larger chunk of change – but would like to make it a no-interest loan rather that a donation, please give us a call.  BANK ON WFPV!

If you know other individuals, organizations or businesses that you think might be interested in offering their support, please forward this letter to them and let them know that they can get in on the ground floor of this new radio station and help build a real community resource.  Donations of equipment are also welcome.  Please call Dave Beaton at 941-894-6469 or email peacenter@gmail.com to get involved.